Canada updates travel advisories for France, Mexico and other popular destinations

Canada has updated travel advisories for France, Mexico and other popular tourist destinations.

The school year will finish at the end of next week for most public school students in Ontario, and families may be planning a summer vacation.

Families planning a summer trip may want to check out the latest advisories.

Canada’s Travel Advice and Advisories website helps travellers make informed decisions and travel safely outside the country.

Here are five countries with updated advisories:

France

Risks: Threat of terrorism.

Reasons: The French government maintains a three-level public alert system for terrorism. The Vigipirate plan’s security level is currently at level 3, “urgence attentat” (“attack emergency”).

The advisory suggests visitors stay aware of their surroundings when in public places. Be particularly vigilant during sporting events, public celebrations, major political events, such as elections, and religious holidays. Terrorists may use such occasions to mount attacks.

Petty crimes, such as pickpocketing and bag and mobile phone snatching, occur frequently. Thieves often target tourists.

Thieves are very skilled. They often act in groups and regularly work with minors. They may use various techniques to divert your attention and steal your belongings. Be cautious of distraction tactics, including people who spill drinks on you or your belongings; engage you in lengthy conversations; persistently offer to assist you; or attempt to distance you from your personal belongings.

Mexico

Risks: High levels of criminal activity and kidnapping.

Reasons: Mexican authorities have made efforts to protect major tourist destinations, resulting in lower levels of gang-related violence in these areas. However, violent crime still occurs in major cities, popular tourist areas and resorts.

Certain establishments, such as bars or nightclubs, may try to overcharge you. Discussions about overcharging have turned violent. Tourists have been threatened and forced to pay the bill.

Travellers have also fallen victim to online scams, including phishing emails and romance scams. Certain scams target senior citizens.

Costa Rica

Risks: Crime.

Reasons: Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, occurs frequently. Tourists are common targets for theft because they are perceived as being wealthy.

Crime against property, such as house burglary, theft from cars, and vehicle theft, is frequent. Passport theft is also extremely common and increases in frequency during the peak tourist seasons, from November to May and from July to August.

While you’re in Costa Rica, always keep your personal belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, in a secure place, the advisory suggests. Avoid showing signs of affluence or wearing expensive jewellery. Avoid isolated or deserted areas and walking alone at night.

Also, be extra cautious when withdrawing cash from ATMs.

China

Risks: Crime

Reasons: Petty crime, such as pickpocketing, purse snatching and theft of mobile phones and other electronic devices, occurs, even during the day. Criminals target foreigners, especially in major cities and tourist areas.

Credit card and ATM fraud occurs. Be cautious when using debit or credit cards.

Exercise caution in popular tourist areas (particularly in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square and Shanghai’s the Bund, East Nanjing Road and People’s Square), where scammers target foreigners.

Scammers may invite you to a nearby establishment for a drink (usually tea or alcohol), a massage or other services. They will then ask you to pay an exorbitant bill (up to thousands of dollars), sometimes under threat of injury. In some cases, foreigners were harmed.

Cambodia

Risks: An increase in petty crime.

Reasons: Petty crime, such as phone and bag snatching, occurs frequently. Thieves, sometimes on motorcycles, grab bags and other valuables, including passports. Theft targeting foreigners is frequent on sidewalks, on motorcycles and tuktuks (rickshaws).

Personal belongings have been stolen from locked rooms, particularly in low-cost accommodations. Items have been removed from luggage stored in the luggage compartments of buses, especially on the journey between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

There are reports of criminal operations in the seaside resort of Sihanoukville and the Special Economic Zone. The criminal activity includes employment scams, drug and human trafficking.

For a complete list of advisories and additional information, see the federal website here.

Lead photo of Paris, France: Dan Umareta